Stricken Bolton set up emergency food bank for unpaid staff as administration takes grip on club

BOLTON have opened an emergency food bank to help unpaid members of staff.

According to the Bolton News, local businesses have got behind the club's staff after going without pay for the last fortnight.

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Bolton's Community Trust have set up a food bank like many up and down the countryCredit: Alamy

A local Championship club - thought to be Preston North End - also donated £2,000 of shopping vouchers for staff to use after the club fell into administration on Monday, which will lead to a points deduction next season.

The Trotters are now in the hands of administrators, who are working as fast as they can to unfreeze accounts so that staff can be paid.

The Bolton Wanderers Community Trust have been restocking the food bank, so that families do not go hungry.

When people talk about football they often associate it with big salaries and luxurious living but the reality is that many of our staff – as we all do – live within their means.

Club chaplain Phil Mason

Club chaplain Phil Mason said: "We have tried to offer whatever support we can to people and that has included trying to get some provisions in order that people can continue to live a normal life.

"When people talk about football they often associate it with big salaries and luxurious living but the reality is that many of our staff – as we all do – live within their means.

"And that becomes very difficult when you have not been paid for a couple of weeks.

"It has hit home hard."

He revealed there have been several anonymous donations to the club's community trust.

Staff told the Bolton News: “We are very grateful to all our fans and the community of Bolton for the support they have shown us during these difficult times.”

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Administrator Paul Appleton said: "This has obviously been a long-running situation and it is vitally important that we quickly establish the position of both the football club and the holding company.

"It has got to the stage where the Trust could not sit back and allow the club to go into liquidation.

"Decisive action had to be taken and the Trust believes the decision is in the best interests of Bolton Wanderers.

"Everybody at the club as well as the supporters need a sense of clarity and that is what I will be seeking to provide as quickly as possible."

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Bolton were placed into administration on MondayCredit: PA:Empics Sport